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“But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Matthew 5:39, ESV

Every time I hear this verse, I still hear my father-in-law’s voice. He would say, “If someone hits me, I’m not gonna give him a chance to hit me again. He’ll be hitting the floor.” This verse was a stumbling block for him, and I think it is for many of us. We don’t like people harming us, and our nature is to defend ourselves. Yet, here our Lord gives us a different message. It’s not saying that the harm that another does to us is justified or excused, but we are called to something higher, and that is to be different in our witness. Justice will come to all, but we don’t need to be the bringers of retribution. We carry with us something greater. A message of hope and salvation. With this also will come peace. Those who wish to cause trouble and strife will receive their due in time, but our prayer is not for them to rest eternally separated from our Lord. In our witness, we pray that they will turn away from worldly things and turn to Jesus, where they will meet the true bearer of justice and peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.